Infant Development

Infant Development: 0-12 months

BIRTH

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

6 Months

5 Months

4 Months

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

1 YEAR OLD

12 Months

11 Months

10 Months

1 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• lifting the head momentarily
• turning the head from side to side
• clenching hands
• having a strong grasp reflex
• looking and following an object moving in front of them in a range of 45 degrees
• seeing black and white patterns
• becoming quiet when a voice is heard
• crying to express displeasure
• making throaty sounds
• looking intently at parents when they are talking to him/her

2 Months

Developmental milestones include:

• lifting their head almost 45 degrees when lying on stomach
• bobbing their head forward while in the sitting position
• having a decrease in their grasping reflex
• following dangling objects with their eyes
• searching visually for sounds
• making noises other than crying
• having distinctive cries for different needs (hungry, wet, etc.)
• vocalizing to familiar voices
• smiling in response to various stimuli

3 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• bearing weight when held in a standing position
• holding their head up when in the sitting position
• raising shoulders when lying on their stomach
• bearing weight on their forearms
• holding objects, but not reaching for them
• clutching their own hands
• following objects 180 degrees
• squealing, cooing, babbling and chuckling
• “talking” when spoken to
• recognizing faces, voices and objects
• smiling when a familiar face is seen
• showing awareness to situations

4 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• beginning to drool
• having good head control
• sitting with support
• bearing some weight on legs when held upright
• raising head and chest off surface
• rolling from back to side
• exploring and playing with hands
• grasping objects with both hands
• beginning to have hand-eye coordination
• making consonant sounds
• laughing
• enjoying being rocked, bounced or swung

5 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• showing signs of teething
• holding the head up when sitting
• rolling from stomach to back
• putting their feet in their mouth
• grasping and holding objects voluntarily
• playing with toes
• taking objects directly to their mouth
• watching objects which are dropped
• saying “ah-goo” or similar vowel-consonant combinations
• smiling at mirror image
• being able to tell family and strangers apart

6 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• chewing and biting
• lifting head when pulled into a sitting position
• rolling from back to stomach
• bearing a majority of weight when being held in a standing position
• holding the bottle
• grabbing feet and pulling them to their mouth
• adjusting the body to see an object
• turning the head from side to side and then looking up or down
• recognizing parents
• saying one-syllable sounds like “ma”, “mu”, “da” and “di”

7 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• sitting without support and leaning forward on both hands
• bearing full weight on feet
• bouncing when held in standing position
• bearing weight on one hand while lying on stomach
• transferring objects from one hand to another
• banging objects on surfaces
• having the ability to fixate on small objects
• responding to their name
• being aware of depth and space
• having taste preferences
• “talking” when others are talking

8 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• sitting without support
• bearing weight on legs, standing by pulling up to furniture
• picking up objects using the index, fourth, and fifth finger against the thumb
• having the ability to release objects
• pulling a string to obtain objects
• reaching for toys that are out of reach
• listening selectively to familiar words
• combining syllables like “mama” and “dada” but not attaching a meaning
• understanding the word “no”
• disliking diaper changes and being dressed

9 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• beginning to crawl
• pulling up to a standing position from sitting
• sitting for prolonged periods of time
• potentially developing a preference for the use of one hand
• using the thumb and index finger to pick up objects
• responding to simple verbal commands
• comprehending “no”
• having an increased interest in pleasing parents
• putting arms in front of the face to avoid having it washed

10 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• going from the stomach to a sitting position
• sitting by falling down
• having the ability to recover balance while sitting
• comprehending “bye”
• saying “dada” or “mama” with meaning
• saying one other word besides “mama” and “dada” such as “hi”, “bye” or “no”
• waving “bye”
• repeating actions which attract attention
• playing interactive games such as “pat-a-cake”
• enjoying being read to and following pictures in books

11 Month

Developmental milestones include:

• walking while holding onto furniture or other objects
• placing one object after another into a container
• reaching back to pick up an object when sitting
• exploring objects more thoroughly
• having the ability to manipulate objects out of tight-fitting spaces
• having the ability to roll a ball
• acting frustrated when restricted
• shaking their head to mean “no”

12 Month

• Developmental milestones include:
• walking with one hand held
• beginning to stand alone and attempting their first steps
• sitting down from a standing position without help
• saying three or more words
• comprehending the meaning of several words
• repeating the same words over and over
• imitating sounds, such as animal sounds
• recognizing objects by name
• showing affection
• showing independence in familiar surroundings
• clinging to parents in a strange situation